Apparatus for grinding and/or polishing glass sheets



Oct. 23, 1956 E. LAVERDISSE 2,767,522

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING AND/OR POLISHING GLASS SHEETS Filed Dec. 1, 1954 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l ujuw mlu uzi IIIIIIIIIIII-III Oct. 23, 1956 E. LAVERDISSE 2,767,522

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING AND/OR POLISHING GLASS SHEETS Filed D80. 1,-1.954 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llilllllfillllllfiilllllllllllllllll llllllllllllll APPARATUS FUR INC AND/ OR POLISHING GLASS SHEETS Edmond Laverdisse, Auvelais, Belgium, assignor to Les Glaceries de la Sambre, Societe Anonyme, Auvelais, Belgium, :1 Belgian company The present invention concerns the mounting of the tools for grinding and polishing glass, and relates more particularly to machines in which such tools are supported by beams, some of which are mounted above and some below the glass so as to act successively on the two faces thereof, or which are disposed in successive pairs to act simultaneously on the two faces of the glass.

In accordance with U. S. Patent No. 2,673,424 dated March 30, 1954, the tools on one beam are supported by vertical shafts adapted to be vertically adjusted at will, either separately or at the same time as the shafts of the other tools of the said beam, and it is specified therein that the tool-carrying shafts bear on a cross member mounted in vertical slideways provided in the beam.

The cross member combines the vertical movements of the tool-carrying shafts and constitutes the element for regulating the wear of the rubbing surfaces of the tools. If, for example, one of the tools tends to feed more rapidly than the tool or tools supported by other vertical shafts of the same beam, as a result of a disturbance in the feed of abrasive material or for any other reason, the rigid connection afforded by the cross member by which the tool-carrying shafts are joined will prevent the tool producing the more rapid wear from moving relatively to the others in the vertical direction and will maintain the rubbing surface thereof in the same working plane as that of the other tool or tools. The cross member maintains uniformity between the working planes of the tools and regularises the wear thereof in all circumstances.

However, the guiding of the cross member in vertical slideways in the beam has the disadvantage that it is not absolute and in the event of wear permits a certain tilting of the cross member which affects the relative positions of the tools in the vertical direction and may result in jamming of the cross member in the slideways. The present invention has for its object to obviate this disadvantage and to ensure that absolute uniformity of the working planes of the tools is maintained.

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by coupling the vertical tool-carrying shafts of one beam by means of at least one, and preferably two, horizontal shafts, the rotation of which ensures uniformity of the movement in the vertical direction of the tool-carrying shafts thus coupled.

In one embodiment of the invention, each coupling shaft is connected on the one hand to the coupled toolcarrying shafts by its bearings, and on the other hand to the beam by kinematic linkages, preferably of the connecting rod-and-crank type, which constitute with the coupling shaft a guide system which obliges this shaft to remain horizontal when moving vertically while turning as a result of a vertical movement of the coupled toolcarrying shafts.

In another embodiment of the invention, each horizontal coupling shaft is connected on the one hand to the vertical tool-carrying shafts by kinematic linkages, preferably of the rack-and-pinion type, and on the other hand to the beam by its hearings, in such manner that the States Patent movements of the tool-carrying shafts in relation to the beam in the vertical direction are made dependent upon the rotation of the horizontal coupling shaft. The latter may be rotated by a driving motor to raise the coupled tool-carrying shafts at will for the purpose of adjusting the working plane of the tools.

In both the aforesaid embodiments, the tool-carrying shafts may in addition be connected together by a suspension cross member which is subjected to the action of the device for adjusting the working pressure of the tools on the glass. This cross member may, if desired, carry the bearings for the horizontal coupling shafts and thus be guided parallel to itself by the said shafts and their connections to the beam, without being engaged in slideways.

The manner in which the invention may be carried into effect is shown by way of example, in more or less diagrammatic form, in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an upper beam having two tool-carrying shafts coupled by horizontal shafts suspended by means of connecting rods and cranks.

Figure 2 is a transverse section through this beam along the line IIII of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows in longitudinal section a lower beam having two tool-carrying shafts coupled by horizontal shafts with rack-and-pinion connection,

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the said beam along the line IVIV of Figure 3,

Figure 5 shows in plan view the coupling shafts and in horizontal section the coupled tool-carrying shafts, and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through an upper beam having two tool-carrying shafts coupled by horizontal shafts with rack-and-pinion connections.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of toolcarrying shafts 5 extend downwardly from a beam 13 and, at their lower ends, carry the tools 14 and 15 Working on the upper surface of the glass sheet 16. Each tool carrying shaft 5 has a worm gear 5a keyed thereon to mesh with a driven worm (not shown) for effecting rotation of the related tool or tools. The shaft 5 extends upwardly through a sleeve 5b and is provided with a collar 50 which rests upon a suitable bearing carried by the upper end of the related sleeve 5b. The sleeve 5b is externally threaded and screwed into a related internally threaded sleeve 4 which is vertically slidable in a housing 4a secured within the beam 13. A worm Se! is slidable axially on, keyed to, the sleeve 5b and is rotatably mounted within a housing 52. A worm 5f meshes with the worm 5:2 to effect rotation of the latter.

A cross member 3 extends horizontally between the sleeves 4 corresponding to the several tool-carrying shafts 5 and the member 3 is rigidly connected to the several sleeves 4. The cross member 3 is suspended from a piston 17 which is vertically movable within a cylinder 18 carried by the beam 13 and it is apparent that vertical movement of the cross member may be effected and controlled by regulating the feeding of pressure fluid to the cylinder 18 for action against the underside of the piston 17.

The above arrangement is substantially the same as that disclosed in Figs. 5 and 10 of my prior Patent No. 2,673,424, previously referred to herein, and makes it possible to simultaneously effect the vertical movements of all of the tool-carrying shafts 5, by Vertically displacing the cross member 3, and to individually effect vertical movement of each of the shafts 5 through rotation of the related sleeve 5b to either increase or decrease the downward extension of the latter from the related sleeve 4. Thus, the shafts 5 may be individually adjusted vertically to dispose the tools 14 and 15 in the same hori- 3: zontal plane, and then the cross member 3 may be vertically moved to bring the tools on the several shafts against the glass sheet 16 to be ground or polished.

It is apparent that feeding movement of the several tools in response to vertical movement of the cross memher 3 will remain absolutely uniform only if tilting or rocking of the latter is prevented and the member 3 is made to move only parallel to itself. In accordance with the present invention, the last mentioned objective is achieved, in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, by providing two parallel coupling shafts 1 and 2 flanking the cross member 3 and rotatably journalled, at their opposite ends, in bearings 6 mounted on the opposite ends of the cross member 3.

A pair of cranks 7 extend radially outward from the opposite ends of the coupling shaft 1, and a pair of cranks 3 similarly extend radially outward from the opposite ends of the coupling shaft 2. Connecting rods 9 and 19 are pivotally connected, at their opposite ends, to the free ends of the cranks 7 and 8, respectively, and to brackets 11 and 12 which are secured to the side walls of the beam 13.

It is apparent that a vertical movement of the cross member 3, at one end, requires a corresponding angular movement of the cranks 7 and 8 and rods 9 and at that end of the cross member, and that the coupling shafts 1 and 2 transmit such angular movement to the cranks 7 and 3 at the other end to ensure an exactly equal vertical movement at the other end of the cross member 3. Thus, tilting of the cross member is avoided so that feeding movement of the latter is uniformly transmitted to the several tool-carrying shafts associated therewith.

The cross member 3 may, if desired, be omitted, if the bearings 6 of the coupling shafts 1, 2 are mounted directly on the sleeves 4 of the tool-carrying shafts 5, but it is advantageous to retain the cross member 3 for the suspension of the equipment from the piston 17 of the hydraulic cylinder 18 which regulates the working pressure of the tools 14, on the glass.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, the mechanism for effecting individual vertical adjustment of each of the tool-carrying shafts 28 is generally similar to that described in connection with Figs 1 and 2, and the coupling shafts 21, 22 are journalled in brackets 23 on the lower beam 24 and act through pinions 25 on racks 26 provided on the female sleeves 27 of the tool-carrying shafts 23, which are adapted to slide in their base members 29. A motor 30 simultaneously rotates the shafts 21, 22 by means of a reduction gear 31 and gear wheels 32, 33. In rotating, the shafts 21, 22 cause the tool-carrying shafts 28 to rise or descend simultaneously for the purpose of adjusting the level of the working plane of the tools 34, 33 acting on the lower face of the glass 36. If the shafts 21, 22 are maintained stationary, the tool-carrying shafts 28 cannot undergo any change in level and the automatic regulation of the wear of the tool is ensured.

In Figure 6, the arrangement is similar to that of Figure 3, but is applied to the tool-carrying shafts of an upper beam. To this end, there is provided between the driving motor and the coupling shafts 41, 42 a coupling 43, such as a magnetic clutch, which permits of disengaging the motor in order to leave the tool-carrying shafts 44, coupled by the shafts 41, 42, freely suspended by the cross member 45 from the piston 46 of the hydraulic cylinder 47, which regulates the working pressure of the tools 48, 49 on the glass 50. When the coupling 43 is engaged, the tool carriers 44 may be raised or stopped by the motor 40 through the gears 51, 52, the shafts 41, 42,. the pinions 53 thereof and the racks 54.

Although in each embodiment only two tool-carrying shafts coupled by coupling shafts have been illustrated, it is clear that the said coupling shafts can connect any desired number of tool carriers, according to require ments. Similarly, a single coupling shaft may be sufiicient, but it is preferable to have an even number thereof. in order to ensure symmetry of the forces exerted on the 4 tool-carrying shafts. Further modifications may be made to the constructional forms and details herein described and illustrated by way of example without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for finishing the surface of a glass sheet; the combination of a plurality of laterally spaced apart vertical shafts carrying tools at one end to work upon a surface or a horizontal glass sheet, a horizontal beam defining primary supporting means for all of said shafts, secondary supporting means for said shafts mounted on said beam and movable vertically with respect to the latter, laterally spaced apart bearings secured to one of said supporting means, at least one horizontal coupling shaft journalled in said bearings and extending past all of said shafts, and at least two connecting systems arranged at locations that are spaced apart along said coupling shaft, each of said connecting systems inclucing a first member fixed to said coupling shaft to be angularly displaced with the latter, a second member attached to the other of said supporting means and connected to said first member of the related connecting system so that a vertical displacement of any one of said secondary supporting means relative to said beam is accompanied by a corresponding angular displacement of said coupling shaft about the axis of the latter and produces an exactly equal vertical displacement of all the other secondary supporting means thereby to ensure that the relative vertical positions of said tool-carrying shafts will remain unchanged.

2. In apparatus for finishing the surface of a glass sheet; the combination as in claim 1, wherein said bearings are secured to said secondary supporting means for said shafts to move vertically with the related secondary supporting means relative to said beam, and wherein said first member of each connecting system consists of a radial crank fixed to said coupling shaft and said second member consists of a connecting rod pivotally attached, at its opposite ends, to the related crank and to said beam, respectively, so that said coupling shaft moves vertically with said secondary supporting means while turn ing in said bearings and said connecting systems prevent tilting of said coupling shaft from its horizontal disposition.

3. In apparatus for finishing the surface of a glass sheet; the combination as in claim l; wherei d b ings are secured to said beam of the pri y supper means to remain at a fixed level, and wherein sa d ti member of each connecting system consists of a fixed on said coupling shaft to turn with the l said second member consists of a vertical gear we fixed on said secondary supporting means for a related tool carrying shaft and meshing with said spur gear so that turning of said coupling shaft produces equal 2 placement of the spur gears of all of said conne tems and, by reason of the meshing engagement 0 spur gears with gear racks on the second y supper means, also produces equal vertical movement of all of the tool-carrying shafts.

4. In apparatus for finishing the S l ci sheet and having a plurality of later vertical shafts carrying tools to Work upon a surf t a horizontal glass sheet, a horizontal beam mary supporting means for all of the tOOl-CL and a vertical sleeve for each shaft rotatabty the latter and being mounted in said beam and verb movable with respect to the latter to define sat supporting means for the tool carrying shafts; the nation of two coupling shafts extending horizontail all of the sleeves at opposite sides of the 1? spaced apart bearings secured to one of supporting means at opposite sides of the sleeves and having said coupling shafts journalled therein, and at least connecting systems movable in planes normal to the said coupling shafts and arranged at locations spaced longitudinally along each of said coupling shafts and connecting the related coupling shaft to the other of said Supporting means, said coupling shafts and connecting systems being operative to constrain the sleeves supporting the tool-carrying shafts to execute exactly equal vertical displacements relative to the beam.

5. In apparatus for finishing the surface of a glass sheet and having a plurality of laterally spaced apart vertical shafts carrying tools to work upon a surface of a horizontal glass sheet, a horizontal beam defining primary supporting means for all of the tool-carrying shafts, and a vertical sleeve for each shaft rotatably supporting the latter and being mounted in said beam and vertically movable with respect to the latter to define secondary supporting means for the tool carrying shafts; the combination of bearings secured to each of the sleeves at the opposite sides of the latter, two coupling shafts extending horizontally past all of the sleeves and being journalled in said bearings at the related sides of the sleeves, at least two radially extending cranks secured to each of said coupling shafts at locations spaced apart along the latter, and a connecting rod associated with each of said cranks and pivotally connected, at its opposite ends, to the related crank and to the beam so that said coupling shafts are constrained to remain horizontal during the vertical movement thereof with the sleeves supporting the tool carrying shafts.

6. In apparatus for finishing the surface of a glass sheet and having a plurality of laterally spaced apart vertical shafts carrying tools to Work upon a surface of a horizontal glass sheet, a horizontal beam defining primary supporting means for all of the tool-carrying shafts, and a vertical sleeve for each shaft rotatably supporting the latter and being mounted in said beam and vertically movable with respect to the latter to define secondary supporting means for the tool-carrying shafts; the combi nation of laterally spaced apart bearings secured to the beam at the same level and at opposite sides of the sleeves supporting the tool-carrying shafts, two coupling shafts extending horizontally past all of the sleeves at the opposite sides of the latter and being journalled in said bearings at the related sides of the sleeves, spur gears fixed on each of said coupling shafts at locations registering laterally with the sleeves, and vertical gear racks secured to the opposite sides of each sleeve and meshing with related spur gears on said coupling shafts so that turning of said coupling shafts produces equal vertical displacements of all of the sleeves.

7. In apparatus for finishing the surface of a glass sheet; the combination as in claim 6, further comprising transmission means between said two coupling shafts and operative to cause interdependent turning of the latter in opposite directions thereby to prevent canting of the sleeves out of a vertical plane intermediate the axes of said coupling shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,763 Evans Sept. 7, 1926 1,732,695 Platt Oct. 22, 1929 1,735,565 Drake NOV. 12, 1929 2,285,318 Waldron June 2, 1942 2,673,424 Laverdisse Mar. 30, 1954 2,690,034 Laverdisse Sept. 28, 1954 

